Patent GB-461366-A (GB)
Title: Process for the thermal conversion of hydrocarbons into valuable products
IPC: C07C2/76
Filed: 1935-11-06
Abstract: <PICT:0461366/IV/1> The thermal conversion of hydrocarbons, e.g. the conversion of methane or its homologues into acetylene or mixtures of methane and ammonia into hydrocyanic acid, is carried out in regenerator furnaces under vacuum, the gases to be treated flowing upwardly through the previously heated furnace, and the heating phase being carried out in a downward direction under normal pressure. A suitable reaction chamber comprises a heat accumulator 1 enclosed in a jacket of "Sicromal" (Registered Trade Mark) steel alloy, which is non-scaling and contains 6--23 per cent of chromium, and small quantities of aluminium, silicon, molybdenum and vanadium, with an insulating layer 2 interposed.  The jacket 3 is surrounded by an outer pressure jacket 4, with an annular gas space 5 between to relieve the inner jacket of stress.  The lining of the accumulator may be made from an aluminium oxide brick burnt at 1800 DEG  C. from molten corundum and containing 1,0--0,1 per cent SiO2 : 0,2--0,3 per cent CaO, and 0,1--0,4 per cent Fe2O3, and be approximately 30--90 mm. thick. The filling material may comprise sintered aluminium oxide or beryllium oxide or mixtures thereof, in the form of plates to allow free passage of the gases.  The lowest temperature zone may be filled with chamotte or porcelain.  The combustion gases for heating are supplied through water-cooled nozzles 10, air for combustion being fed in through pipes 6 and preheated by passage through the annular space 5.  After the heating phase, the reaction chamber is exhausted, preferably by connection to a large chamber which has been previously exhausted.  The gases to be treated are fed in from below through pipes 14, and after conversion, are discharged through pipe 16 wherein they are cooled by water jets from nozzle 17.  For example, a gas containing 60 per cent methane was treated at about 1600 DEG  C. and at a pressure of 50 mm. mercury.  The final product contained 8--9 per cent of acetylene, about 40--50 per cent of the methane being converted. The heating and reaction phases were about one minute duration.  A mixture of 2 pts. ethane and 1 part ammonia at 1400 DEG  C. and pressure of 45 mm. mercury gave a gas containing 20 per cent acetylene, 70 per cent hydrogen, 8 per cent methane after removing hydrocyanic acid formed and unconverted ammonia.  About 40 per cent of the ammonia was converted into prussic acid.ALSO:The thermal conversion of hydrocarbons, <PICT:0461366/III/1> e.g. the conversion of methane or its homologues into acetylene or mixtures of methane and ammonia into hydrocyanic acid, is carried out in regenerator furnaces under vacuum, the gases to be treated flowing upwardly through the previously heated furnace, and the heating phase being carried out in a downward direction under normal pressure.  A suitable reaction chamber comprises a heat accumulator 1 enclosed in a jacket of "Sicromal" (Registered Trade Mark) steel alloy, which is non-scaling and contains 6--23 per cent of chromium, and small quantities of aluminium, silicon, molybdenum and vanadium, with an insulating layer 2 interposed.  The jacket 3 is surrounded by an outer pressure jacket 4, with an annular gas space 5 between to relieve the inner jacket of stress.  The lining of the accumulator may be made from an aluminium oxide brick burnt at 1800 DEG  C. from molten corundum and containing 1.0--0,1 per cent SiO2:O,2--0,3 per cent.  CaO and 0,1--0,4 per cent Fe2O3 and be approximately 30--90 mm. thick.  The filling material may comprise sintered aluminium oxide or beryllium oxide or mixtures thereof, in the form of plates to allow free passage of the gases.  The lowest temperature zone may be filled with chamotte or porcelain.  The combustion gases for heating are supplied through water-cooled nozzles 10, air for combustion being fed in through pipes 6 and preheated by passage through the annular space 5.  After the heating phase, the reaction chamber is exhausted, preferably by connection to a large chamber which has been previously exhausted.  The gases to be treated are fed in from below through pipes 14, and after conversion, are discharged through pipe 16 wherein they are cooled by water jets from nozzle 17. For example, a mixture of 2 pts. ethane and 1 pt. ammonia at 1400 DEG C. and pressure of 45 mm. mercury gave a gas containing 20 per cent acetylene, 70 per cent hydrogen, 8 per cent methane after removing hydrocyanic acid formed and unconverted ammonia.  About 40 per cent of the ammonia was converted into prussic acid.